Opposite effect

The teachers exchanged glances and had a bad premonition after hearing Sinistra's words, as if something inside their memories stirred.

Why did the situation seem so similar?

-Can you be more specific? -I have observed nothing out of the ordinary in him during my lessons in the greenhouses, in fact, he is performing remarkably well. I think many here will agree with me that there are few who can keep up with them among their year mates. Miss Granger, Mr. Longbottom....

The teachers nodded, realizing that Neville's mention on this occasion was solely due to his talent in Herbology, which seemed to overshadow any others he might have. As for the other lessons...

-Is he that good? -Hagrid asked with curious eyes.

Because his lessons needed to employ magical creatures, he still wouldn't start his first lesson for another two days because of his preparations and he was attending this teachers' meeting for the first time to try to better understand how to teach a class and seek inspiration.

Sure, Hagrid would get visits from Soisen during his time at Hogwarts, but they usually talk about topics that pique his interest such as his ideas of hybridization, strange animals and something Soisen called Animal Biology. The few times his studies came up in conversation, he mentioned that it wasn't bad.

-In fact, the problem is that he is too much," commented Sinistra as she rubbed her eyebrows somewhat exasperated and amused, "I think the idea of sending him to Beauxbatons the year before, might have backfired on all of us.

-I agree with what Sinistra said," sighed McGonagall as she recalled the first lessons of this school year, "While Mr. Galegold has made great progress in his studies during his time there, it has also caused the opposite effect that we had hoped for. Instead of getting the other students to close the gap with him while he was getting a pleasant experience, we have only succeeded in making the difference between them even more marked.

-I can give an example from just this morning," commented Professor Flitwick as he took the floor, "Today I taught the knot tying incantation. While most struggled to get the piece of rope in front of them to tie the simplest knot, Mr. Galegold gave an exemplary demonstration of thirteen much more complex sailor knots. While I could see that he was trying to prove himself, I fear he was unaware of the blow he struck to the spirit of the other students by doing so.

-You can't blame one outstanding student for the lack of determination of the others," Snape burst out, rushing to Soisen's defense, "I hope you're not thinking of another school exchange for each remaining year. Castelobruxo, Ilvermorny, Durmstrang, Mahoutokoro... -he mentioned several of the possible schools- With his talent and mind, the only thing that will be achieved will be to accentuate the difference even more and we can't send him every year to a different place, it's not good for him.

-Severus is right," nodded McGonagall earnestly once the crux of the problem was pointed out, "Instead of trying to comfort most of the students, we should find a way to encourage them and stimulate their competitive spirit. Otherwise, it will look like we are blaming Mr. Galegold for standing out above the rest.

-So what do we do? -I suggested moving up a year, but both he and Dumbledore denied that possibility. He wants to graduate with his friends.

-What if we made a personalized curriculum for him? -Lupin kept quiet during the whole meeting, but felt that this was the ideal moment to intervene- I did a small test on the first day to see the general level of the students taking into account their previous teachers.

-And what was the result?

-I have a lot of work ahead of me," Lupin grimaced as he recalled some of the answers he read, "Generally speaking, their first-year knowledge is half-baked and it seems they learned almost nothing during their second year. I have too much to make up for. There are only a few students with adequate knowledge like... -Lupin tried to remember, but he was still memorizing the names of the students and had to take out a parchment to review- Hermione, Tracey, Silvia... -he mentioned seven names and they were all from students that the professors knew were above average.

-What about Soisen? -I'm sorry, I meant Mr. Galegold," he shrugged at McGonagall's look and apologized. He still had to get used to the idea that he was going to be a teacher in front of the students.

-"To be honest, he has a very solid knowledge spanning up to fourth year Defence Against the Dark Arts and maybe a little beyond," said Lupin who still remembers the astonishment he felt, "And that said I'm still not clear on his level of spell casting, but from what Mr. Flitwick has mentioned and what I heard from an event at the dueling club, it seems he should have no problems in that area. Even more surprising, considering he doesn't even use a wand.

-But if we do that, we'll most likely run out of anything to teach him after his fifth year -that was McGonagall's concern. While it was great to have such an outstanding student, if the teachers couldn't teach him anything in his final two years it would be very embarrassing for it, the school, and bad for the student.

-What if we ask him to act as a teacher's aide? -Flitwick proposed, "Maybe we'll awaken his interest in teaching and he'll start helping the other students, that would be a great help for everyone.

-I don't think it will work, I heard he made the potions teacher at Beauxbatons cry. He seems to lack patience in dealing with those who are not on the same level as him in their interests.

-I have a few suggestions that I think might fix the situation," Snape raised his hand to get everyone's attention, "However, it will take some effort and preparations.

-I think any idea is a good one to hear at this time," Pomona said.

Snape explained what his idea was and the professors listened attentively, ending up somewhat surprised by the route of thought their potions professor had.

-Actually, it's not a bad idea -reflected Professor Sinistra while drumming her fingers on the dark mahogany table -And not only Mr. Galegold would benefit, other students might also be interested.

-It could become a recurring tradition!

-But as Severus mentioned, the idea requires preparing everything in advance and it is not guaranteed to be successful -McGonagall frowned, because as Deputy Headmistress, she was aware of how complicated the matter could be- I will need to consult the Headmaster to get him to approve the idea and I will only be able to start during the Christmas vacations.

-Don't worry, Minerva. We have all this year and two more ahead of us to make this work," Flitwick consoled, "I and the others will ask around, I'm sure we can find a way to make it happen.